Fire protection of critical circuits-a life and property preserver

This paper examines the importance of fire-resistant electrical circuit feeders in saving lives and property. It discusses sophisticated fire fighting and evacuation systems and the electrical energy requirements to ensure their operation in commercial high rise, hospital and other at-risk buildings. The influence of cost, ease of installation and subsequent inspection of fire-resistant circuits in a consulting engineer's specifications decision, is considered. Analysis of the impact of building code modifications that require increased fire protection for feeders to emergency systems is presented. The paper cites examples of devastating fires and resultant code upgrades. Implications of the 1996 NEC sections concerning emergency electrical feeders are reviewed. Specification writers and product installers have primary influence over these systems. Their roles and responsibilities are discussed. The paper also reviews the various methods of providing fire-resistive protection to circuit feeders.